Hits and Misses – But Mostly Misses

Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melynk makes this week’s misses with a crazy tweet telling shamed broadcaster Bill O’ReIlly that he missed him. Say what? Is there any chance Melnyk is the only one around who hasn’t heard why O’Reilly is missing action.“Miss you Bill! When are you coming back!!!??”

O’Reilly was fired over allegations of sexual harrassment in April, forced out after a New York Times report he had paid five women a total of $13 million to settle sexual harassment claims in the past.

SAY WHAT? Part II

Some of this city’s hard-working volunteers were honoured this past week with a medal from the Senate of Canada. The list included broadcasters Rick Gibbons and Mark Sutcliffe, who’ve both volunteered their time to the community. According to the Senate, 150 medals were minted at a cost of $235,000 to honour the country’s unsung heroes, “Canadians whose generosity, dedication, volunteerism and hard work make their communities a better place to live.” The recipients were all chosen by senators.

Sadly, many of those on the receiving end of the unsung heroes medal were the senators themselves, including Mike Duffy and Pamela Wallin. A request to explain how well-paid senators were unsung heroes wasn’t answered by the Senate’s communications department.

Enough said.

PICTURE THIS EGO

It’s hard to know what to make of Kanata Coun. Allan Hubley. Apparently he was so excited to chair his first audit committee he spent $35 of his own money to make up trading cards for all audit committee members. The trading cards, according to Hubley, will be used to track success in saving the city money. Seriously? Does that make sense to anyone?

He asked his committee members to sign the two-sided cards which feature their own picture so he could frame them to mark his first meeting. Apparently Hubley plans to frame the signed trading cards. Knowing Hubley, it might be best to be on the lookout for said frame to be expensed. Just saying!

MISS, THEN SORT OF A HIT

Ottawans and Canadians were somehow shocked at the long list of don’ts for the ice rink on the front lawn of Parliament Hill. No cellphones, no food, no selfies. And a short skating season to boot! Personally, I was shocked anyone was shocked. This is the feds we’re talking about folks. But the feds backtracked just a bit. Selfies will now be allowed and the season will go to the end of February.

THIS WEEK’S HIT: LONG MAY HE RUN

Music icon Neil Young came home this week, returning to his childhood town of Omemee, Ontario to promote the release of his new album The Visitor, but more importantly to raise money for music program for the Scott Young Public School in Omemee.
The school is named for his late father. The money raised, close to $20,000 will be shared with The Bridge School in California, a school for children with severe speech and physical impairments. While Young inside Coronation Hall, Omemee’s King Street was busy with both local residents and visitors.